Soldier dies in on-duty accident on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

A 20-year-old soldier died this week in an on-duty accident on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, the U.S. Army Alaska said.

Spc. Karolina Ferrer-Padilla, of Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, died Monday in an incident that the Army said was being investigated by the Army Criminal Investigation Division along with the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

Officials did not provide additional information about the accident in a statement Wednesday.

Ferrer-Padilla was a petroleum supply specialist with the 6th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. She joined the Army in September 2019 and reported to Alaska in August 2020 after training in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, officials said.

“Spc. Ferrer-Padilla was a dedicated professional, loving wife, and faithful friend,” said Lt. Col. Justin Pritchard, 6th BEB commander. “An aspiring leader, she brought joy and inspiration to all her fellow paratroopers.”